DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire hockey team had trouble scoring goals last season.The Wildcats didn't score their first goal until the third game and ended up averaging 2.92 goals a game overall and 2.52 in Hockey East.John Henrion plans to be part of the solution this year, not part of the problem.“I have the expectation that this will be my best year at UNH,” he said. “I'm coming in confident. I think you have to be. I put a lot of pressure on myself throughout the summer ... so that I know I'm prepared for this upcoming season.”The senior forward appeared to be on the verge of a breakout season after scoring 12 goals as a sophomore. He finished with five goals last year and none in the final 17 games. “We think he can be a goal scorer,” said coach Dick Umile. “John has a tremendous shot. He has a pro shot. The puck didn't go in for him last year. Hopefully that happens early.” As it turned out, Henrion's final goal came in the Frozen Fenway game against Maine.“I had a lot of scoring chances,” Henrion said, “but when they don't go in everything tends to go south. You get frustrated and you put more pressure on yourself than there already is.”Henrion is one of several upperclassmen being counted on to ramp up their offensive production, including seniors Greg Burke and Austin Block. “I have to relax and stay confident in myself,” Henrion said. “I know how to score goals. Hopefully I'll get a couple lucky bounces this year, a couple dirty goals, and hopefully that will get me going in the right direction.”Junior Dalton Speelman also returns after missing all but 11 games last season with a broken wrist. He received a medical redshirt, meaning he has two years of eligibility left.“We've got to score some goals this season,” Umile said.The Wildcats will have their first and only dress rehearsal Saturday night (7) when they meet St. Francis Xavier in an exhibition game at the Whittemore Center.“It will be an opportunity to see what kind of condition we're in,” Umile said. “We've really focused on that in the preseason.”St. Francis is 3-1 in exhibition play and will also face Northeastern this weekend.“It's good for the players,” Umile said. “It's good for the coaches. It gets you back in the game.”UNH opens the season at home, Oct. 12-13, with a two-game series against St. Cloud State. The Wildcats play their first four games at the Whitt.With four of its first five games on the road last year, UNH went 0-4-1 during that stretch, setting the tone for the season. “We're focused on getting off to a good start,” Umile said. “It's not going to be easy. We're going to play some real good teams.”“When you get off to a good start everyone's positive and the tension is off,” Henrion said. “That points you in the right direction and then you can build off what you've done.”The Wildcats finished 15-19-3 last year, their first losing record since the 1995-96 season. They were eliminated from the Hockey East playoffs by Boston University, two games to one in the quarterfinals.“Obviously, it's something we don't want to repeat,” said goalie Jeff Wyer, who missed the second half of last season with a knee injury. “Every year you shoot for the highest goal. Even if we had a better end to last year guys still want to come back and be better.”UNH squandered a 4-1 lead in the decisive third game against BU and lost in double overtime, ending the Wildcats' season.“The expectations were so high and then coming up a little short, we don't find that acceptable,” Henrion said. “And we don't want other people to think we're going to accept losing. That's just extra motivation for us.”The Wildcats look solid on paper. They return six of their top seven scorers, five of their top six defensemen and No. 1 goalie Casey DeSmith.They did lose leading scorer Stevie Moses, who had 22 goals last season. Sophomore Grayson Downing was next with 10.“I think this is a huge year for everyone,” Henrion said. “We have a lot of statements to make. We're looking forward to doing that this season.”“It's been a long offseason,” Wyer said. “We're definitely ready to go and start a new chapter, and hopefully get back the winning tradition.”